Highlighting his vision of a Healthy and Innovative India, Dr Shailesh Ayyangar, President, Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India, Managing Director India and VP South Asia, Sanofi, said, “Over the years, the India story has witnessed significant milestones. Today, as a nation, we are at the edge of transformation. We have yet to fix healthcare financing issues, so that the disease burden doesn’t impoverish our nation. More than ever, the need of the hour is for all stakeholders to come together to find solutions and keep our nation healthy. As OPPI completes its journey of 50 years, we are energized by the sheer opportunity of making a real difference to healthcare access in our country. We pledge our commitment to work with all stakeholders to achieve our collective dream of a Healthy and Innovative India.”

At the event, Shri. Ravindra Chavan, Hon’ble Minister of State, Government of Maharashtra, released a study on the ‘Development of Health Index of Indian states’ by the Indian Institute of Management- Ahmedabad (IIM-A), facilitated by OPPI. The results of the Study concluded that the states performed very differently on the two dimensions. The analysis showed low association between outcome and input variables. Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu were found amongst the best performers while Assam, Uttaranchal and Uttar Pradesh were lowest performers. States like Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi and J&K performed well. The states were then divided into three categories of high performers, middling performers and laggards for the purpose of policy directions. “This report is a first step. With the existing data, we are able to make limited comments on the drivers of changes – which can provide preliminary pointers on where action is required. At this stage, we are able to look at the changes in the underlying variables that may have caused the movement. Moving forward we will be able to provide more granular recommendations”, said Prof. Arvind Sahay, IIM (A).

OPPI’s 50th Annual General Meeting marked an extraordinary moment with the release of its 50 years commemorative publication- ‘The Colour of White’. Ms Meenakshi Lekhi along with Ms Radha Kapoor, Founder & Executive Director of ISDI, released this publication which showcased some of the key women achievers in the research-based pharmaceutical industry. Speaking on the occasion, Ms Kanchana TK, Director General, Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India, said, “We believe that the handbook will be a small step in gender inclusion and we hope it will go a long way in motivating many young capable women to shape their careers in the pharmaceutical industry, making it their preferred choice.This is a first step of acknowledgment that the Gender Quotient Index (WILL Forum) in our industry is at a dismal 0.2 to 0.7. I am enthused with the fact that this is now on the dashboard of CEOs and as a collective effort we need to consciously include the better half of the gender populace.”

To mark the 50th AGM, an eminent panel of OPPI’s Office Bearers decided to confer the OPPI Lifetime Achievement Award to Dr R A Mashelkar, National Research Professor & President, Global Research Alliance for his yeomen service in shaping the science and technology policies of the country. ASpecial Recognition Award for Innovation in Health was handed over to Manish Gupta, Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Indegene, for delivering solutions that enable global healthcare organisations address complex challenges to improve patient outcomes.

OPPI’s Annual Excellence Awards were also announced – please see the attachment.